MANILA — Consumer advocacy organisations are calling on the Philippine delegation to the upcoming 11th Biennial Conference of the Parties (COP11) of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) to adopt a “balanced” position that safeguards both public health and livelihoods.
In a statement issued ahead of the global conference, which runs from November 17 to 22, 2025 in Geneva, Switzerland, groups representing consumers, farmers and the vape/e-cigarette industry urged policymakers to ensure that tobacco-control measures do not inadvertently undermine jobs and economic activity.
The groups emphasised the need for inclusive policymaking that draws on the voices of health experts, scientists and consumers, and takes into account the realities of farmers whose livelihoods depend on tobacco cultivation.
One farmer representative warned that certain proposals under Agenda Item 4.1 of the treaty’s expert-group report — such as phasing out government support for tobacco cultivation, restricting commercial sales, and reducing manufacturing quotas — could “kill livelihoods.”
They stressed that tobacco farming remains a significant source of income for many rural communities across the Philippines, and that any global treaty outcomes must work in tandem with national strategies that protect those working in the sector.
At the same time, they affirmed the importance of achieving public health goals — including reducing smoking and tobacco-related diseases — but argued that this must be done in a way that preserves economic and social sustainability.
As the Philippines’ delegation prepares to head to COP11, the call from stakeholders is clear: strike a middle ground that aligns regulatory ambition with practical safeguards for farmers and consumers alike.
